A NEW scheme will provide accommodation for ex-service personnel on a site owned by a military charity in Bosbury.

Herefordshire Council's planning committee approved plans to demolish redundant agricultural buildings and construct new single-storey unites to provide accommodation for ex-service personnel at North Farm.

The Buchanan Trust, which was founded in 1918 for homeless war veterans, is based at the Bosbury site.

Andrew Bower, from the trust, said the current farm buildings were redundant and some were too low to be used by modern machinery.

He said those who moved into the accommodation would have a personal development plan.

"Whilst it is a rural location there are many activities on the estate including work on our own farms and those either not in training or employment we would ask to give us 10 hours per week in conservation work," he said. "Also there is an opportunity to work alongside builders to get construction skills."

The committee heard that the scheme was fully supported by Bosbury and Coddington Parish Council.

The chairman, Patrick Whitehead, said: "This application in our view is a very clear demonstration by the Buchanan Trust that they are now moving forward in a very positive way in their quest to follow the aims and objectives of the founder of the trust who founded it in 1918.

"It was really for homeless war veterans, to use buildings to provide employment and housing for them when they return having completed their service. In our view this is as important today as it was after the First World War. It should be welcomed by all of us. "

Councillor Tony Johnson, ward member, added that Herefordshire Council was a signatory of the Herefordshire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

He added: "The county has a proud history of supporting the armed forces, particularly retired members and helping them get back into the community."

The scheme was unanimously approved.